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2004-2010 Ford F-150: 5.4L 3V cam phasers / spark plugs

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specific things to inspect and negotiate

What goes wrong

The 5.4 three-valve of this era: cam phaser rattle, and spark plugs that break off in the head during removal.

Federal record for the 2007 Ford F-150, pulled from NHTSA when this page was built:
492 owner complaints on file , most-reported: ENGINE (78) · POWER TRAIN (52) · TIRES (49).
7 safety recalls listed.
Complaint volume tracks how many were sold as well as how they held up , read it as a pattern, not a score. Counts change; confirm live at nhtsa.gov or by running the free check below.
Rough cost: $1,500-$3,000 phaser job. Broad estimates , labor rates and parts vary widely by region and shop.

What to do about it

Before you hand over cash: Listen for a diesel-like rattle at idle/startup. Ask when plugs were last done and by whom.

Whatever you find, a $100-150 pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is the cheapest money you’ll spend on any used car , including this one.

Run the full free check on this F-150 →

Free · no signup · federal recall + complaint data included

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General reference information only , not a mechanical inspection, appraisal, or vehicle history report, and not specific to any individual car. Failure patterns describe documented tendencies across many vehicles; any single car may be better or worse. Cost figures are rough estimates , verify locally. The absence of a warning is not a statement that a car is safe or problem-free. Always verify recalls directly with NHTSA and get a pre-purchase inspection. Not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer, or reporting service. No affiliate links, no commissions, no ads. © Used Car Informer, operated by MCC LLC · v6.6